Actually, if you go to roadrunner or scotchman, they charge a slight fee for cups but ice is always free (with the store cup) and drink refills are uber cheap. Screw McD's
A corporate entity of the size of McD
Cups cost money. If a business gave them without charge, other products would have to have higher prices in order to make up the difference. Even your water costs the business money. In addition to the water bill there is overhead involved with freezing ice etc.
Not everyone is honest and unfortunately we all have to pay for it. They couldn't choose who was honest and who wasn't they'd get in a lot of trouble. Plus, they do have to pay for the cups so they just can't give them away. If you bring in your own McDonalds cup though they don't charge you for water.
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